You are here

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Our Admissions team would love to assist you in finding a place in our pack, so if you do not meet the following requirements, please contact the NSU Admissions Office at 1-800-678-5330 or admissions@northern.edu to discuss your prospective application!

Applicants to Northern can be admitted by one of the following criteria:

Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (redesigned SAT score of 950, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above; OR

Obtain a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale; OR

Rank in the top sixty (60) percent of their high school graduating class.

Applicants to Northern may also meet either the Smarter Balanced or curriculum requirements as outlined below:

Smarter Balanced: Achieve a Level 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced assessments.

Curriculum: Meet the minimum course requirements with an average grade of “C” or higher (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale);

OR demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas where course requirements have not been met; AND

Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (redesigned SAT score of 950, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above; OR

Obtain a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale; OR

Rank in the top sixty (60) percent of their high school graduating class.

The minimum course requirements – and alternate criteria – are:

Four years of English; OR

ACT English subtest score of 18 or above; OR

AP English language and composition or English literature and composition scores of 3 or above.

Three years of advanced mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other advanced mathematics, including accelerated or honors mathematics provided at the eighth- grade level; not included are arithmetic, business, consumer, or general mathematics or other similar courses); OR

ACT math subtest score of 20 or above; OR

AP calculus AB or BC score of 3 or above.

Three years of laboratory science (courses in biology, chemistry, physics or other approved science courses in which there is a weekly lab period scheduled); OR

ACT science/reasoning subtest score of 17 or above; OR

AP biology, chemistry or physics B score of 3 or above.

Three years of social science; OR

ACT social studies/reading subtest score of 17 or above; OR

AP microeconomics, macroeconomics, comparative or United States government or policies, European or United States history, or psychology score of 3 or above.

One year of fine arts; OR

AP history of art, studio art drawing or general portfolio, or music theory score of 3 or above.

Start your journey to becoming an international student at Northern by visiting our International Students webpage, which lists all your requirements and includes links to apply!

Talk To Us

If you've taken college classes in the past - but didn't complete a degree - you can finish on campus or online. We will work with you on a program evaluation to determine which courses will complete your degree. Visit the Returning Students page to learn more!